Marion County Grand Jury Indicts Suspected Human Trafficker in Midwest Prostitution Ring – Bond set at $1,000,000

MARION, Ohio – The Marion County Grand Jury last week indicted Xiaoping Peng, 53, of Chicago, Illinois, on charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony, two counts of trafficking in persons for involuntary servitude, both first-degree felonies, and two counts of promoting prostitution, fourth-degree felonies, for participating in the operation of a prostitution enterprise out of the Chinese Spa at 1288 Delaware Avenue in Marion.

Peng was arraigned yesterday in front of Judge Todd Anderson who set Peng’s bond at $1,000,000.

Peng is a Chinese National and entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and was able to stay on an asylum claim.

The Grand Jury returned the indictment following a months-long investigation by the Marion, Ohio Police Department that revealed Peng’s role in transporting women across state lines for sex work at the spa. The offenses spanned from March 6, 2025, through June 17, 2025, when a raid uncovered evidence of ongoing exploitation.

Peng acted as a courier for both money and women, facilitating a network that subjected victims to involuntary servitude through recruitment, transport, and maintenance for sexual exploitation.

Grogan emphasized the interstate nature of the crimes, which involved moving victims from Illinois to Ohio, underscoring the need for federal coordination if the ring extends further.

Peng faces substantial prison time if convicted, with the first-degree felonies carrying potential sentences of up to 11 years each, plus fines.

Grogan urged the public to report suspicious activity at similar businesses, noting that tips from community members kickstarted this investigation. The case also serves as a reminder of the hidden victims in such operations, often coerced or trafficked from out of state, and Grogan’s team is working to support any identified survivors through local advocacy resources.

“Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, but we’re shining a light on it here in Marion,” Grogan said. “Peng’s arrest warns every exploiter: we’ll track you down, no matter how far you travel, and hold you accountable.”

By law, all charged defendants – including this one – are presumed innocent.